Motorbikes allegedly stolen under guise of sales inspection rock owners from Redland Bay to Annerley and Cedar Grove
Motorcycle owners are being robbed of thousands of dollars of equipment as scammers use online selling sites to zero in on their prey.
Redlands Coast
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A series of brazen motorbike thefts from owners looking to sell have residents across Brisbane fuming and warning others to tread extra carefully during home inspections.
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Three recent instances of alleged theft have been reported to police sharing the same craven modus operandi: A prospective buyer with whom sellers have established an online correspondence arrives at a residence to inspect a motorbike, which he does thoroughly, even quibbling on price, takes the vehicle for a drive “around the block” only to never return.
Cedar Grove couple Megan and Lee Moore were lucky to be insured but face damning excess charges and other payments after their 2003 Suzuki SV1000 motorbike, registration 172PH, was allegedly stolen on August 29.
“The guy arrived in a car and chatted and looked over the bike before asking to go for a test ride,” Ms Moore said.
“He was just supposed to go to the end of the street and back, which he did, but, then he continued riding and didn’t come back.
“The car he came in also left quickly. Unfortunately we presumed he had come by himself as we couldn’t see anyone else in the car.”
A first for the couple the ugly incident has come as a shock prompting them to now advocate a comprehensive approach when selling.
“It seems that motorbikes have become an easy target as the rider has to test ride by themselves,” Ms Lee said.
“It is a good idea though to get as much information as possible, take a deposit and also hold onto their car keys before allowing them to ride. A GPS tracker is also ideal.
“Make sure your bike is insured and your insurance will pay out in the case of this kind of theft. We were lucky ours did but we are still at a loss due to excess and other payments.”
Redland Bay residents Jessica Irvine and her partner Zak were left aghast on September 29 when a man took Zak’s 2012 model Hyosung GT 650R motorbike, registration 462 UN, for a test drive only to disappear.
Making matters worse the young couple was uninsured and face a circa $4000 loss.
In their case Zak was home alone with two small children, had his hands full, and momentarily trusted a supposed buyer with whom they had been communicating for two days.
Ms Irvine said the man’s approach was savvy: He inspected the motorcycle with care and even negotiated the price before allegedly stealing the vehicle.
And the same approach befell a first-time seller in Annerley, who preferred to remain anonymous.
Also uninsured, the man’s Kawasaki Ninja 400, registration 835UD, was allegedly made off with during a home inspection a few weeks ago.
It’s distinguishing features include a broken, left mirror, loud silver exhaust and a tail tidy with duct tape at the mounts on each side.
The audacious thefts have not gone unnoticed in Brisbane’s motorbike community and residents are calling for greater action to apprehend the alleged offenders.
Officer in charge of Redland Bay Police Station Senior Sergeant Stephen Graham last week confirmed investigations into the alleged theft at Redland Bay was ongoing and warned that scammers were more prolific during the pandemic.
The Senior Sergeant urged residents to take particular care when communicating with others online when buying or selling items.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444.